Bailey & Cato

I got the chicken and dressing platter w fries and green beans. It was all very yummy. I wish I got a little more cranberry sauce but I was very impressed. I'm spreading the word now! I ordered through door dash. It came in hot. The cornbread was awesome and crunchy!

Customer service goes a long way..I been going to this establishment since they moved from Gallatin Rd. I have never had a problem with staff or management (Shakita) until today. I came in with my family and purchased with 3 fish plates with 2 being (Whitening), which I was told had to be cooked to order. We received a number and waited only to get chewy, cold fish. Being that I visit often I took my food back up to the counter when I saw it was free from patrons and advised (Niecee) of my dissatisfaction. Instantly (Niecee) attempted to make the order correct by asking me if I wanted something else until this ignorant manager (Shakita) came up and had the nerve to say if I didnt get fish I could only get a refund. Who does that at an establishment that's supposed to cater to paying patrons. (Niecee) understands what good customer service means and I appreciate her to the fullest. Very disappointed ☹️ in the service and managements response. I will be letting all my clients that Ive referred also know how I was treated today. Sad that this is the way your treated when trying to patronize black businesses.

This is Nashville's hidden Soul Food gem!! Everything I've tried has been delicious. It's hard to find a good soul food restaurant in Nashville, especially one that doesn't disappoint. The smoked chicken is my favorite!! Also they have a card that will give you a free meal after you've purchased a certain amount of meals (please ask about the rules for the meals that are counted). This place definitely has a family feel to it. If you want comfort food that'll give you "The ITIS" afterwards, this is the place to try! Update: Another visit (plate in the picture) - Catfish plate (2 pc) with green beans, mac-n-cheese, and cornbread. The chess pie was divine!

food is great. but customer service goes a long way. i came in to order and you have 1 worker making his own personal plate staring you down just praying you dont ask them for help, then another worker walks up and asks how can they help you, ask 1 question and is quickly told to just go to the register to order and she walks off. please work on this, at least have the respect to say you cant assist someone before you push someone off. (worker in black hat and glasses to be exact)

This was my first time here. And it didn't disappoint. The food was good and the folks were nice and the place was clean. My plate was 14 with tax but it's plenty to eat off of all day.ill for sure be back to try the other items.

I tried the meatloaf today and it was very bland no flavor at all. I love Bailey & Catos... Have supported them since the first location but it seems to me that the food has changed since then. The Whiting fish was very flaky & crispy but no seasoning at all. The one thing that never fails is the fried chicken & yams, it is always delicious when I order it. Just wish the food tasted like it has more love like when it first opened years back. I can never get that taste again. It's still worth a try tho.. Just have to know what to order.

This place has been referred to me for a long time. I finally went recently. So far, I've only been here twice; once with my friends and the second time with my wife. There's an easy lunchroom style setup. The food and service was consistent. If you like Southern and/or soul food, the food choices are like going into Grandma's kitchen when she's in a good mood to cook all your favorite dishes. And even if the aesthetics differ from before, the taste will still be great. The service is efficient. They don't talk a lot but they are still friendly and fast. You can appreciate that especially since you want your food to stay hot. The seating is okay but it seems most of the clientele were grabbing plates to go anyway. I and the people I was with on both occasions enjoyed the experience. You can make it want you want versus the atmosphere imposing itself on you. Places like this don't need 5 stars to compete. It's the scars and blemishes that make it niche & pretty.

After showing rentals stopped in for delicious meat and two-style food. Robert N. Hoff had lasagna and I had ox tail with gravy. Delicious fried cornbread, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese.

Food is phenomenal all of the time! I've been eating here for over ten years, and try and support them every week.

I wanted some soul food on a Tuesday and decided to come here. Ehhh... not sure I'm satisfied with my choice. It's a cafeteria style establishment. Each day they have different menu options. Be sure to check out the menu before going to save yourself the disappointment. I ordered fried chicken (white meat) with Mac and cheese and candied yams. Fried chicken was fried fairly decent, but had they kept it in any longer it would've been burnt. The oil may need to be changed. Cornbread is delicious. This was probably the highlight of my entire plate. Candied yams...smh! I have never tasted candied yams like these. Nonetheless get the entire yam as the side. I was looking forward to these and was let down tremendously. Flavoring was off and I expected these to be top tier. Mac and cheese was good. Thankfully, I got the first scoop out of a fresh batch. Service was fast, but rushed when trying to decide on what you want. Especially when you're set on something and then have a chance to see it through the glass and immediately change your mind. This establishment has always been a hit or miss for me. Hopefully if you check it out it'll be a hit for you.

If you are a meat eater, the food is probably what you are looking for. However, after getting a couple of messed up delivery orders I decided to go in person to pick up my food. I ordered a fish plate which understandably I had to wait for. However when the cook placed the fish in the window, the servers let it set there even after I told them it was there. I ordered the sides of white beans and greens. I was really disappointed to get home and discover the beans were canned and the greens were tasteless. And on top of the bad food, the servers were rude and dismissive. I don't think I will be back.

first of the dang food is not that great service is not that great and they have the audacity to charge 11+ for a pork chop sandwich and you only get 1 the damn sides suck no freaking taste don't even waste your time stopping here it's not worth it!!!!! i don't even give them 1 star but i had to

Chicken and Dressing was a little too salty and fried chicken was overlooked cooked but still juicy. We will order again

Glad I got in today before the week closed for VACA. Always GREAT FOOD, SERVICE and Easy to Order.

RUDE. SMH. The food was good the last time I went. We had dressing, mac and cheese and sweet potatoes. Banana pudding was also decent. But, the service will make me not go back. Whoever the young girl/lady is that works there isbthe RUDEST I've ever seen. On my first visit ahe was scolding a customer and the people with him because they all came to the counter at once. She kept asking him were they with him and he said yes. Then she asked if he was paying for them and he again said yes. I would've walked out if it were me, the way she was speaking to them. On my visit today, this same young girl had on a red net hair net, was constantly rolling her eyes at customers and also being rude to the staff that work there! A few of us customers overhead the cashier say they think they were out of oxtails, so we walked to the front and asked. The cashier, an older lady who was nice, said she thought they were out but she would check. The young girl walks up to her and says you need to be worried about the customers and not what's going on in the back. The older lady said I was just asking a question. She was so rude to the older lady and in front of everyone smh. Three of us customers just walked out. She has to be family because ain't no way she's still working there with that attitude and demeanor. I've been a few times and EACH time she had been rude. The reviews back to 2014 say the staff is rude. They ain't lying! Goodness.

Met there with an ole High School Football buddy. The location is back in the corner of the old Zayers Shopping Complex. It's been a lot of things over the years. They have a day to day menu that has treat choices of Meat and 2. When we were there they had Neck bones, Fried Chicken and pork chops etc. My buddy got the Chicken and dumplings and I had the Pork Chop, fried corn and Greens. Everything was delicious. They even gave us a sample of the Neck Bones. Had Banana Pudding which was ok. However they had at least 5 choices of deserts. At first I was concerned with the service line lady because of the yelling to the back cooks. Lol when we got up to order she was a doll. It was like being at a family's backyard grill out. So if you like Fried Chicken, BBQ, Liver And Onions and just good ole Soul food this is the place. Just make sure you check on line or call to see what their serving. If you looking for Ambiance IMHO this place isn't it. Great Food it's a Champ! Oh I forgot to add the Hot Water Cornbread. I thought I was a Cornbread Connoisseur. Yet It was a first for me having that type of cornbread.

As you can see, I've tried a variety of meals here. I would give this place a solid three. I've been more impressed with the sides then the actual many entrees. Cons: Meatloaf was not tender at all. It was a block of whatever it was. I wouldn't get again. Chicken and dressing had something grainy in the texture. It was like either mashed eggshells or a seasoning that wouldn't dissolve. The dressing was salty. Do not get the banana pudding. It's not a homemade one. I was disappointed by that. I haven't tried the fried chicken yet but it doesn't look like it's made to order. It sits on a heat rack after it is cooked. Voicemail is full and no one answers the phone for call ins or questions. Pros: Affordable prices A large amount of food I enjoyed the mashed potatoes with gravy and fried corn. I liked the turnip greens (a little salty) and cabbage. Hushpuppies were warm and tasty. The ribs hit the spot and fall off the bone. It's so tender and flavorful. Staff are nice and patient. Restaurant is clean

Good ole comfort food! The taste of our ancestors!!! I would recommend this for a home cooked meal that Grandma used to make!!

This is (more-or-less) a cafeteria-style restaurant on the grounds of the Hermitage (Andrew Jacksons home) near Nashville, so I'm rating it as such. We found the food good and the prices reasonable. The menu changes daily. We went on a Thursday so BBQ was available. This was good, but IMHO wouldn't compete with the best here in Memphis. My wife got the fried chicken which she declared good. For those lucky/smart enough to visit on Fridays, you get to try their Ox-tail!

This place is straight fire!!!! The lady at the hotel recommended we check this place out and I'm glad we did. This was one of the best meals I've had in a long time and we will definitely be back again. Oh yeah and make sure you get the ribs

Had the ribs, smoked chicken, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese with hot water cornbread. So good and I ate on this for three days to which was still fresh. Service was good. Ambiance was decent. Restaurant is clean, organized, and straight to the point. I will definitely be back again. I've had the oxtails before and they are good, however; they only serve them for one day. Worth the drive for some true soul food.

Decent food but terrible business. They close early almost daily, they never have all the items on the menu and the employees look beyond tired. This is a perfect candidate for the show "Restaurant Impossible". They sell decent food but the management (if there is one) is beyond bad. Every time I've been they're literally yelling out what they don't have. Then it's "we got 25 mo minutes on macaroni". Maybe everyone else is rating the food alone at 3.5, which sounds about right. But the restaurant is definitely a 1 star.

This review is strictly about their process... you order your food in line and they make it quickly... except for the FRENCH FRIES!!! Rather than the people just telling the kitchen they need an order of fries you have to wait until you're in line to pay. The wait for French fries is an additional 10-15 minutes. So you wait in line to order your entree and sides and they box it up. Then put it at the register. Then you wait in line to pay and order French fries then you have to walk outside the restaurant and come back in 10-15 minutes. Seems like there's a more efficient way to do this. Maybe they just don't want people to order fries.

I've been at this location twice after being referred By a facebook fan you can get a meat 2 vegies and desert for 12.30 plus tip I save 5.00 a plate from my Other meat and 2 place and the food is great I have enough to eat the remainder in the evening which During these times are a great value also the staff Are very nice and professional they even have a club Buy 20 get one free coupon card in which I've never seen in the restaurant world

I will never set foot in this place again they are very rude people.There prices are sky high and I seen roaches in the building. Fk this nasty dump!

This restaurant has been around ,for a long time, I do believe that the main cook's have passed this place off to their children and grandchildren,,There old location on Riverside Dr. was ok, but the Madison location the food was awful ,a friend of mine took Me there for lunch,I don't plan on returning PERIOD ‼ There are not a lot of meat and vegetables restaurants in Nashville is not Very Good.

A full dose of Soul Food served with a full dose of attitude. Chicken and dressing, Mac n cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy and cornbread all yummy at a decent price. 4 stars because the parking lot and sidewalk were beyond dirty with trash.

This place has the best soul food ever. Experience was great! Homemade desserts can't go wrong with those!

I used to go all the time when it was on McGavock Pk and I didn't know where they moved to, but stopped by recently and had a chicken and dressing plate and it did NOT DISAPPOINT!!!!!

My husband found this little place once we touched down in Nashville. I was shocked to find that it was a cafeteria style restaurant. You go up and order your food, it's served cafeteria style, and then you can sit if you want or take it out. The line was pretty long, we waited for about 25-30 minutes. I ordered catfish, turnip greens and green beans. The catfish was delicious, seasoned and cooked very well. The greens beans were flavorful. The greens, no way, straight from the can, and large pieces. I literally had one bite and never touched it again, they can take these right off the menu to be honest or at the very least chop them up and add more seasoning, I wouldn't order again. We also had fried chicken, it was just ok, we were given the last piece that was sitting, no telling how long it had been there. My husband had ribs, yams and Mac and cheese. We lucked up and were able to get fresh ribs, they were pretty good, the Mac and yams were delicious! We also tasted some of the oxtails, it was very good, will order that next time!

They are phenomenal on all there food especially the hot water cornbread the banana pudding needed Patty's Recipe

I support this business because it is Black Owens AND THE FOOD IS EXCELLENT! I love the Oxtails and friend chicken. My 92 year old mother loves everything and especially the banana pudding! I order once a week and am happy they are surviving through this pandemic.

The lengthy drive was well worth it. The food was fresh, hot, and delicious! I went on a Thursday for the Salmon Cake special. I was not disappointed and look forward to going back soon.

I was not pleased with the food nor the service! Collards(one big leaf), Mac and Cheese (not seasoned good and little to no cheese), Oxtails (a lot of fat and not meat) and a couple of ladies are not nice at all. This is a soul food restaurant.

I was told about this place by a friend so I had to check it out! When u first walk in the smell hits u as soon as u walk in. Smells like grandma kitchen on a Sunday afternoon. The people are nice and patient with you and the choices are plentiful... I was not disappointed and it's my new favorite place to eat wen in the Ville.....if u love down home cooking this is the place! Have daily specials too..open 7 days u can't beat that!!

They are the best soul food in town, So i am updating my review. The customer service has improved greatly, Thanks you

Good place for soul food, smoked chicken is good, oxtails are good, the only reason that it doesn't get 5 stars is because of service, and sometimes they over season their food.

When I come home to visit, I usually stop here for ribs. And I really don't ever order ribs when I eat out. But they are pretty good here. You don't even need sauce, and that's saying a lot from me. The restaurant is tiny. It's not somewhere I'd sit to eat. The line is usually backed up to the door, so be prepared to wait. Know what you want before you get to the counter, otherwise you'll hold everybody up. The side items are hit or miss. We do like the fried corn, delicious. I always choose the cornbread. Several pieces come in a grease soaked brown bag - yum! Parking is an issue, just a few spots in front. But there are more in the gravel lot in back. If you're in the mood for traditional meat 'n three Soul Food, give them a try.

Love Bailey and Cato's. It's a staple in Inglewood and now Madison. Great value for your money. Typical meat and three is under $10 and they give you so much food. Chicken and dressing, ribs, catfish, all is so good. My favorite is the meatloaf. They have the best collard greens in the city.

Without exaggeration or bias, I can say that Bailey and Cato not only has some of the best soul food in the city, but perhaps some of the best Southern food you'll ever have the pleasure of eating. This is another of those places that is big on taste and quality and gives little regard to appearances. Eating at Bailey and Cato is literally like wandering into an ancient Southern woman's kitchen--she'll offer you chicken and dressing or meat loaf, and she'll even let you eat there. There isn't a lot of room, but it's usually pretty devoid of non-carryouters, so you'll have the place mostly to yourself if you eat there. There are daily specials (such as meatloaf and two sides for $5 on Sundays), and they are always a steal. All of the sides are good, though my favorites include the fried corn, mac & cheese, sweet potatoes and greens. The cornbread is phenomenal (tastes like perhaps it's dosed with a small amount of honey), but they offer rolls if you're not into the c.b. They also offer several options for your meat, though I haven't yet sampled the smoked chicken. Bailey and Cato isn't some hip, organic-touting, healthy restaurant, but these people are friendly (though typically in a hurry) and they'll feed you better than your mom will. They only accept credit cards if your dinner is more than $10, but I'm not sure there's anything else negative to say about the place. It's great for picnics, lazy Sunday afternoons or fooling your family into thinking you've cooked some soul food yourself. You MUST try this place.

We have MISSED you! Love that food! Hubby had ribs and I had Fried Chicken. As yummy as ever!!

Been here several times. Cafeteria style. If you are hungry this is a great place to go. I've never been disappointed and their bread/rolls are so yummy and filling. I've had lots here but the whiting is great and the fried chicken. My wife loves their collared greens. If you love southern cooking, check this place out.

This is my favorite place in the city to eat. The food is always good. Never have had a plate that has disappointed.

Second visit here. Getting fried chicken, mac and cheese, and turnip greens. Perfection! Friendly staff and home cooked food

Bailey and Cato's have the best BBQ Ribs in town!!!! Forget these chain BBQ joints and the transplants from Memphis, they do not compare. Their Ribs are smoked, flavorful, tender and meaty! They don't even need to add BBQ sauce. But BBQ Sauce is added, I just never use it. I don't have to say much more, except, try it for yourselves, you'll love them!!!

Back up to par for now. Catfish plate, spaghetti, white beans. Best in Town, for now. Attitudes much improved.

Soul food place that's been established for add long as I can remember... Food is good as to be expected. My latest experience was unusual... The cashier had an attitude for no reason and the flies were uncontrollable. Parking can also use some improvement I hope my next visit won't be as this one.

I was a loyal customer until a few days ago. I called and simply asked what meats they had, since they vary by day. A man answered. First of all, I was put on hold for 6 minutes until he finished his conversation. After that, he rudely told me that I needed to check the website. I explained that I was driving. He then raised his voice and told me that I needed to come in and see because "We be havin a variety of stuff, so you need to come and see cuz I can't be tellin you." 1.) There's a short distance between the phone and the food; he could have looked and told me. 2.) How is that good business? I know this is a family-run place: Ms. Pat and the other ladies are wonderful. But when the cousin that sounds like he failed 3rd grade rudely turns away guests, it's time to get rid of him. I won't be returning: It's a shame that I'll have to find new people for soul food. Try Cal's: They're always polite.

First Time Visit..previous media reviews.. 12/02/2018...4.25-4.50 *** overall. SOUL FOOD in Madison, TN..1130 Gallatin Rd. * Meat 'n 2. "Sunday Special" Brown Gravy Meat Loaf 'n 2.. $7.65 ! * Meat Loaf, size of a hogie roll, 1/2 lb.+. 4.25 * * Brown Gravy..4 * * Mashed Potatoes(added more gravy).. 4 * * Candied Yams..4.5 * * Hot Water Cornbread "nuggets(golf ball size)". 4.25 * Fried Chicken..$8.50..EVERY DAY ! Specials EVERY DAY; Smoked Baked Neckbones, Beef Liver 'n Onions, Catfish, Ox Tails, Pigs Feet. * Open, 7 days, 11 AM-9 PM. * TV's for sports ! * Plenty of parking(large mall-like lot). I will return for more selections on other days ! Mr. Bar & Restaurant Reviewer...Personally Financed/Selective. * 20 +- yrs. Fine Wines 'n Food, N. Cal. SF and Oakland Bay areas, Napa, Russian River, Sonoma Valley, Santa Rosa, San Jose.

My first time. Never was able to try their old location. I got the Fried Chicken Breast with mashed potatoes/gravy and green beans. My guy got the Meatloaf with mac n cheese. It was all delicious and the fried cornbread nuggets? would have taken a dozen of those. Everyone was cordial enough I suppose but it def felt a little bit like the soup nazi...

Ate here today for the first time. This is an old hole in the wall type establishment. You know just like growing up and everybody standing in the kitchen waiting their turn to fix their plate. Act like you home here. I read a comment of somebody complaining about somebody attitude. Boy ain't nobody got time for that. They open 12 hours in a hot ass kitchen cooking soulful food with blessed hands. Can you cook like that? Please! You probably went expecting to be treated like you at a 4-star. No boo you ain't getting that here. You mama didn't do it... They ain't either. So next time you come check your "attitude" at the door. I'll be back around new years. Loved it!

A coworker would often have lunch here and bring us orders back to the office. I noticed we usually call in and pick up our orders as it had been suggested by other coworkers who eat here regularly. I had never eaten here but, an office coworker suggested we call in the order and she would pick it up. The food was pretty good and reasonably priced so I placed an order. I enjoyed the food so I thought I'd swing by on another occasion when I happen to be in the area. I didn't understand why everyone was so insistent on calling the order in UNTIL I visited the actual place! I try to be understanding and reasonable. Everyone didn't have access to the best of education and service training. And maybe, they were just so used to the customer base that they felt comfortable not extending certain formalities to customers like smiling, being polite or not rolling their eyes when you asked a question. Maybe they have served the same people so much they feel you should already know the menu or how the food is prepared. Maybe that is why it is still in this hovel shack while places with food that isn't half as good seem to prosper well. The servers had the worst attitudes; they could not have been ruder if they tried! And the place was cluttered and looked to have a layer of grime on everything. Like it had been "Spot" cleaned but never properly, thoroughly cleaned in decades. Hello, I see those stains!!! If the cheap food is your priority this is a good place but I won't spend another dime in a place where my presence is an annoyance to the servers. I will not pay to be mistreated for food I can cook better at home or get at another place that has good service. The sad part is the food itself is really good. But, the atmosphere and the bad service are not worth a second trip.

I was looking online for a place to get soul food one day and I saw this place on Yelp. People raved about it and said that it was sooooo delicious. I arrived and wondered if I was at the wrong place but it was the right place. My intentions was to eat in but there was no where to really sit in there. There were maybe about 3 tables to sit and I'm not the one for sitting in cramped places. As for the rating, this place was ok for soul food. I had the ribs which were thin when it came down to the meat but the sauce was good I will say, the baked beans were good, mac and cheese was cheesy, dissapointed in the lack of seasoning on greens and the strawberry cake was really good! I ate the cake riding down the road home. Yea, shame on me! I'd give it another shot at a later date maybe even if it is to just drop in for some strawberry cake! A special note: Take cash! In order to use a debit or credit card, you must spend $10.

Really wanted to like this place but sorry to say it's just ehhh. It's old style food that's nothing special. Nice people but they gotta step their game up if they wanna compete with all the food options in East Nashville. There's no smoker so the ribs are done in the oven and the sauce is just tricked up store bought stuff. The wings were decent though.

Bailey and Cato. Soul Food in a house with a few tables, a food line and 1 register. We went on a sunday after church and so did 12 other people. Meatloaf was the special with two sides. I got the ribs with mac and cheese and sweet yams. Both meals came with sweet rolls. Most folks take the food to go. Other sides were fried corn, mashed potatoes, black eyed peas, greens etc. The food was kind of bland and not flavorful. Tasted sorta like cafeteria food. On Tuesdays you can get neck bones. The health code rating was 91. There is no art or decor in the place. Just salt and pepper shakers and hot sauce. I may give this place another shot...as lots of other people seem to like it. Maybe I just can't appreciate real soul food. Hooray for local business.

Why do you continue to serve the "hardball" hot water cornbread? A simple dinner roll would gladly do but NO....you continue to offer something that no one wants and not even offer a substitute. Once upon a time you did offer dinner rolls as a substitute but I guess it became to costly for you as more customers requested dinner rolls over the infamous "door-stopper" hard water brick-bread. Your food is GREAT. I look forward to picking up a plate or two or THREE on a regular basis. Y'alls Food is like Grandma's...Delicious!!!! But the cornbread golf balls need to get lost in the Ruff Grass, if you know what I mean. If you're not going to offer rolls, just give me a slice or two of sandwich bread. If that somehow is against company policy then just keep the cornbread for the next unsuspecting patron.

Ohhhh, if your grandma kitchen was a restaurant, THIS WILL BE IT!!! This is down home country cooking, OX tail, pig feet, ribs, chicken, catfish, and everything else country you can think off. You can't go wrong no matter what you pick. You can get a solid meal for under $10. PS! You have to the special Corn Bread here, no where else in the world they have corn beard as good as they do here!!!